It was the last weekend in August. The cool night air felt great on my cheek after a hot day walking around in the sun. The view of Paris below me was incredible with the city of lights glowing brightly in the evening. I had been here twice before with my parents and my sister, but this time was different; this time, I was surrounded by my closest friends and the people who had been my surrogate family for the past year. It was truly a bittersweet moment; enjoying the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower, the most iconic landmark in Paris, while knowing I had to get on a plane the next day and finally go back to Boston.

Looking back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing about that year… well maybe studying a little more and traveling a lot more, but oh well.  I certainly would never regret my time there. You hear it from everyone. Studying abroad is so worth it! But what do you actually gain? I’ve read a lot of articles on this subject and vistawide.com probably has the best list. They list the 10 reasons you should choose to study abroad:

Learn a language: The best way to learn is to be immersed.
Travel opportunities: You’re in a new country/continent, so go exploring.
First hand look at a new culture: Study the natives up close and personal.
Get out of classroom experience: Some things just cannot be taught from a book.
Make friends from around the world: Never travel again without a place to stay free.
Learn about yourself: Return home with new ideas and perspectives about yourself and your own culture.
Broaden your worldview: Break the stereotype and be culturally aware.
Break out of your academic routine: Do something different that you couldn’t do in your university back home and learn a new school system at the same time.
Increase your employment opportunities: Only 4% of U.S. undergrads studies abroad so give yourself that extra edge.
Enhance the value of your degree: Take courses you couldn’t take at home, or add a language minor/major to your degree.

These are all great reasons, but there is still one thing missing…

Read the rest of this entry »

If you haven’t already, you’ll either find the Beloit College Mindset List hilarious or useful – so either way, it’s worth a peek.  Professor Tom McBride and faculty member Ron Nief have been running the list for over a decade now, making it a culturally significant example of the rapidly changing times.

On a practical level, the list can help those working with the future graduates of 2014 to understand the ever-changing realm of popular culture.  This will spare them the embarrassment of referencing dated ideas, phrases, or events.

To see how this list works both practically and comically, I’ll compare Mindset List topics from the years 2014, 2010 (my graduation), and 2006 (my entrance year).  Keep in mind that I’m 22, and I would personally need this list to effectively understand the “mindset” of the current 18 year old (see why it’s so hard to define Gen-Y?).  The Beloit Mindset List hits all of the issues.  Brace yourself for bewilderment.

On Foreign Relations
2006: “China has always been a market-based reforming regime.”
2010: “The Soviet Union has never existed and therefore is about as scary as the student union.”
2014: “’Go West, Young College Grad’ has always implied ‘and don’t stop until you get to Asia…and learn Chinese along the way.’”

Read the rest of this entry »

Last month I blogged about the job search process and I realized I cut my readers short… I failed to mention the importance of getting the salary you deserve. Its true, in today’s job market, getting the job is the top priority. However, should college graduates accept job opportunities that are barely paying above the national salary for workers with only a high school diploma?

First and foremost, do your research before accepting any jobs. People… this is the internet era, so USE IT! Websites such as Salary.com and Payscale.com can give you the salary expected based on job title, location, and experience. If you’re lucky, you might even see postings from the company you got accepted to.

Were you asked the salary requirements on your application? If so, then this next tip is for future reference, so remember this point! Answering this question with a number too high might already end your chances of getting an interview. Answering this question too low might show an employer that you are not qualified or that you’re just desperate. If possible, refrain from answering this question on applications.

As I said in my August 10th blog, honesty during the interview is a major part of being happy with your position. If you’re asked what your prior salary was, BE HONEST! Employers can and will find this information out with a background check, and dishonesty will only result in you losing the position. Trust me, if word gets around about your little lie, you might get docked as a “liar” if you end up working for the company.

Read the rest of this entry »

Inc.com recently put out its latest edition of 30 under 30: America’s coolest young entrepreneurs. This list includes a mix of young inventors such as the co-founders of Foursquare, the creators of RedLaser—the highly popular iPhone barcode-scanning app, and Dan Schawbel who has his hands in a few things: creator of the personalbrandingblog.com, founder of Millennial Branding, and author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve a Career Success.

This of course got me thinking… how did Dan get to where he is today (and under the age of 30)? The answer: He did it by staying true to himself. His passion is personal branding and he managed to build the ultimate personal brand. Of course, not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur or start their own business, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have your dream job. I actually know someone who quit her day job to go back to school for baking and is now working as a pastry chef. If you want to do something, then do it. The key is to be you.

One of the biggest things we stress here at Experience.com is being true to you and not bending and morphing to try and fit in everywhere. You hear it all the time: Always change your resume for every job! Adapt yourself for every interview! A friend once told me that she was a master chameleon and could adapt to any work environment. To which I posed this one question: Did the job make you happy? Just because you can adapt yourself doesn’t mean it’s a wise choice. Ultimately, if it’s not a good fit you won’t be happy and neither will you new boss.

Read the rest of this entry »

As commencement season has come and gone, graduates from the class of 2010 are entering a market of more jobs, but with lower salaries. About 24% of graduating seniors had jobs waiting for them after receiving their degree, up 4% from the previous year. However, according to a recent article published by The New York Times, the average salary offered to a graduate with a Bachelors degree slipped almost 2% from last year to $47,673.

Currently, I’m a senior at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and with only six months left until I graduate, I’m beginning to feel the stress of entering a not-so-inviting job market. Luckily, I’ve been given the opportunity to intern this summer at Experience.com in Boston, MA. During my time here, I’ve been gaining inside information on searching for jobs, getting the job, and surviving in the meantime.

The Job Search

The most important attitude traits to have when looking for a job can seem like an oxymoron on paper, but the only way to make it through the job search is by practicing patience while staying persistent. It’s a process that sometimes takes months before you see results, and staying level-headed is the only way to keep from over heating. When you get turned down for a job, don’t get discouraged. Instead, thank the employer for considering your application and move on to the next. Who knows, your politeness might even get you a call back when they find an opening that fits your criteria.

Read the rest of this entry »

I recently came across an article by the Milwaukee based Journal Sentinel, which posed some interesting thoughts. In such a bleak economy, there is a shimmering ray of hope for engineering majors. This degree made the top 10 hardest jobs to fill list, but it was only ranked number nine for earned undergraduate degrees. What does that mean for current engineering majors? First off, make the most of your internships. Figure out what industry interests you and start building your resume now. In this world, everything is becoming more specialized so it won’t be easy to jump from field to field, but if you start now, you can learn to excel in one area. Internships are also a great way to build contacts and network in an industry so always begin early. With any luck, you’ll have recruiters knocking down your door by the time you graduate.

The last and most important element that this article touched on is the importance of soft skills. Being good at math and sciences can only get you so far, but being able to work in a team and having interpersonal skills gives you that extra edge. In a lot of cases, you’ll find that recruiters are more interested in your leadership ability than your grades. If you can combine an engineering degree with communication and teamwork skills then you’ll stand out in the job market.

To view the full article from the Journal Sentinel click here.

The routine of higher education has progressed to a point where the internship has become a necessary element of the path to the cap and gown.  Many colleges and universities have internships as a requirement, and some institutions even place students within them.  While this is great for preparing an entire generation with the skills necessary to transition from college to career, it no longer distinguishes a student as more ambitious than their peers.  These days, it seems that internships are no longer an option and is now something that employers expect to see on your resume.

So if everyone is getting internships, how do you set yourself apart from the pack?  One of the best ways to do this is to find a job shadow opportunity.  While the internship “alternatives” may all seem similar (i.e., mentorships, externships, etc), a job shadow is the quickest and most simple way to show that you have drive.  The logic behind participating is the same as for an internship; it’s what you can’t learn inside the classroom.  While the act of job shadowing is well utilized amongst medical students, it can and should be applied to any sort of career.

What is job shadowing?

Job shadowing is basically what it sounds like…you choose a position within an industry you’re  interested in (a “job”), and set up a time to follow someone around and observe their daily routine (be their “shadow”).  While companies like Experience.com sets up day-long job shadows on behalf of an interested candidate, it’s common for students to contact individuals on their own.

The Benefits

The pressures and expectations that come with internships, externships, and mentorships are not present in a job shadowing opportunity.  It’s a guaranteed positive experience, and despite the brevity, it can often lead to getting important contacts and even job offers.  In a single day, a student can discover that they are completely uninterested in a job that they had previously considered pursuing as a career.  In addition, a job shadow gives you the opportunity to answer important questions to help narrow down your career path.  The career blogger Kelli Schmidt briefly accounts her recent job shadow experience. One may ask: Can I see myself doing this? Is this the environment I expected from this industry? Is this job interesting? Did I expect business to be conducted in this manner?

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not unusual for companies who offer internship programs to run orientations for their interns. Many of these serve as a way to segue students from a college environment to a professional one. The USDA’s pre-internship orientation makes the most out of the opportunity. Their program contains many unique and useful aspects, but a particular strength within it is a presentation on office etiquette. While this may come off as a bit uptight, it actually accomplishes exactly what the internship is supposed to provide the interns, which are the necessary tools to succeed in the “real world”.

For students or recent grads seeking work experience, the possibilities of a successful internship can lead to some anxiety and pressure to impress your new boss or co-workers. The College of Saint Rose provides basic guidelines for appropriate office behavior, which may seem obvious, but are often ignored. Office etiquette is important, and it should be effortless. These days, old school manners are rare and will go a long way in a professional environment. Follow these simple rules and you’ll be able to focus more on doing great work and less on impressions.

Punctuality: Be on time. Even if your supervisor doesn’t come in at a consistent hour, ask when you are expected to be in the office and always be in by that time.

Dress for Success: “Business casual” seems to be the status-quo these days. However, this term is rather ambiguous. Rather than defining it, take a systematic approach to dressing for any office environment. Start formal and work your way into the company’s own standards for attire. If you showed up to the interview in a suit and were the only person dressed like that in the office, you can take it a step down (lose the jacket). Rock that tie for the first week and watch how the senior members of the organization dress – if they wear jeans and polo shirts, go for it; if they never wear shorts, neither should you. There are some things to always avoid as an intern: flip-flops, workout wear, and sleeveless tops.

Read the rest of this entry »

Let’s face it …we’ve all encountered a time in the workplace where we may have said the wrong thing, worn an inappropriate shirt, or even mistaken our 10am deadline for 10pm.

In Experience’s latest video contest, “The Not So Good, The Bad, and The Ugly… Your Worst Moments on the Job”, we asked students and recent grads to send us videos of their worst moments on the job or internship.

I can assure you, we are by no means laughing AT you here at Experience, but rather WITH you. I remember my nightmare interview like it was yesterday. I had to walk two miles to the interview so I wore sneakers and carried my dress shoes in a backpack. I arrived ten minutes early, one hundred percent prepared … or so I thought. When I went to go change into my nice shoes, I realized there was only one shoe in my back pack. I interviewed that day with only sneakers to match my brand new suit and tie.

This campaign is about showing resilience, learning from your mistakes, and showing that even the largest of set backs will seem like the smallest of adversities once you’ve achieved success. Michael Jordan once said:

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Michael Jordan’s office was the basketball court, and on some days, he missed every shot he took. However, he proved that one bad day will only lead to another if you allow it to. Jordan went on to win six NBA championships, and with our “The Not So Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Your Worst Moments in the Workplace” contest, you can be a winner too! Enter today and maybe you’ll be awarded our first place $500 gift card to Macys!

For all of us here at Experience, our focus is on the emerging workforce – those of you in college, or recently graduated, who are trying to find jobs to launch your careers.  We think that you are the key to reclaiming the American Dream, because you are The Innovation Generation.

Your experience in launching your post-college careers is so much different from that of your parents and grandparents.  For them, getting any professional job was a launch pad for their careers. They got in. They worked hard. They moved up.

For you, innovation generation, it’s an entirely different story. The unemployment rate for your generation is approaching 14%. Yet even under these cloudy circumstances, you’re not willing to take just any job. You value your goals and your strengths too much to waste your time in a dead-end job.

Read the rest of this entry »